River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-11-10

] couid not help it. II the chair had not
| been just where it was, / should have sat
on the floor.
"Why-why, Ratherins,''
"It's nothing" | murmured, while the
chairs and tables went spinning around. /
| should have tainted, but for determina-
! ton not 60 so disgrace myself l am
strong-willed: you should see what a
square jaw have.
''Why, Katherinep'
ass. Vitus' dance, aunt Ppm subject
to it."
Il never suspected you Of having
nerves. 1t must be your school.teaehing.
If YOU would only listen TO Mr.. Har-
ris"-
''Gingertown forever, first See, am
all right now. Go to tea; don't worry.
shall follow you in few Minutes"
almost pushed her out and closed the
door. II il should be my barrymore
I was in honor bound TO resign all claim 70
him; to make no attempt TO win him back.
l called on Memory TO hold up her glass,
and for few moments / gazed on the pict-
ure Of the past il held, with his hand
some. dark face in the foreground.
He was not one who could easily forget
I II he and Bess' lover proved the same, it
! would prove to my satisfaction, at least,
I that he had never really been mine.
/ recOllected yesterday slipping up behind
/ Bess. She had been marking on the win
dow with her diamond ring, "P. b."
/ remember those letters carved on the
7 trunk Of a tree, with TX. F." underneath.
/ The smell Of violets, the strains Of an old
/ waltz, and behold. his face is before me,
his hand on mine.
Bah, what stuff! As il he were a ghost,
| perpetually popping up like jack-in-the-
I hoy vr-ha WhFuarz took a "a
1 turn
/ Ny reveries made me late for supper. As
/ I came past the library afterwards. l saw
I some one standing beside Bess, talking TO
Z her in a low voice, but very earnestly.
Z 1t was Philip Barrymore. / did not
E pause in my walk past the door; but with
averted head and quickened step few to
nv room. Meet we viii. sooner or later,
+ but I must have little more time, first.
After the tn later, the next evening, l
went into my cousins room for talk.
I She was standing before the glass, in her
\ soft, gray dress, and well she deserved my
| old pet name of Pigeon, thought, as l
. gCzed upon her. She was fair and plump,
and had regular doves ewes. Naturally
quiet and shy she was. with the softest
cooling voice in the world.
''It's YOU, Katheriue; I'm so glad. /
1 was worrying about you. You have acted
I so queerly this evening; and what has put
I that terrible look into your eyes:"
Cramps" l rejoin, laconically, draw
+ ing her down beside me in the great easy
1 chair. "Or haunting fear that Crusoe
7 will bear me away to his desert island be-
I fore I am ready. But, talking of eyes,
/ way have yours looked so red and mSist
I lately:"
"a sly coming, perhaps"
Don't talk to me of stys; no such thing.
You've been shedding midnight tears, and
having regular fits Of the blues-that's
1 what. 1 can see right through YOU
i Pigeon, you transparent little hypocrite.
\ You're in love, head over heels; and to
I think Of the child trying to keep it to her
I self"
/ The little thing was rosy and pale and
/ breathless. all at once. She gave me a be-
seeching look, and l Rugged her there and
then.
''Now make a clean breast of it; tell me
all-aIl-all."
"Why, Katherine"
''Dou't YOU why. Katherine me-"
Z looked at her severely. ''You are in love,
then. Is he worthy of you: Stop; l see a
/ whole avalanche Of superlative adjectives
in your eyes; well, suppose he is, though
/ I doubt il. / assure YOU, he will find me
( hard 20 please. But, prisoner at the bar,
/ since Won love each other, in the classic
/ language Of Shakespeare, what's the row:
/ Why these means and grOans, this general
7 lachTymOsity:"
"Nust tell you:"
"You Just must"
"I'm sure he loves me, but it's my miser-
| able mOney-hOw | hate il; wish | had
/ not penuy-that keeps him from telling
me so, and we're both m IN miserable. Pm
/ 50 unhappy, II don't care to l-live with
out him, and he-he's''-
sin the same boat. There, there, don't
cry, PigeOn.'
She has her head tucked under my arm,
& aud is sObbing her affectiOnate, discour-
aged little heart out. l say every reas-
Surfing thing which occurs to me, and
make promises ruthlessly. | feel as if il is
| the safest way for me.
'You shall be married by Easter. and I
Z will be your first bridesmaid. | shall
stand up with-let me see-with Daisy"
Pigeon laughs at this. "Daisy' is one
of her ardent admirers, an innocent-faced,
cOnfiding young gOsling, with great ex-
pectations. His grandfather has money,
and diseased liver. which is bound to
carry him of before long.
Il feel better already. All! If papa
only would consent. I'm glad l had TO
tell YOU every thing. There is something
/ so strong about you, katherine. You are
I equal to a whole regiment of girls. If |
/ had been a man, l should have married
l you long ago"
''That's brave OF you. Not many would
I be willing to marry woman equal to
I whole regiment"
! laugh at the idea. "What dear little
hubby YOU would make'
There isn't any ring 10 your laugh to-
night. Do tell me, Katherine, were you
ever in love, and-disappointed:"
This was feeler. 1 hesitate, just mo-
ment.
YES. once, long, long ago, when / was
young and charming"
"Ah! Aud YOU never breathed a word Of
\ it before. What was he like, and what
I happened:"
'Very much like old Crusoe. only more
so; and nothing happened worth mention
Ing. tie was fond of mushrooms and ate
some toad-stOols once by mistake. II was
y a Crea. mistake. You see il couldn't be
I rect fed very well. Ii made a great
impression On me. I assure YOU l have
never cared for mushrooms since"
Katherine, Won wretch! Y ou ought TO
60 on the stage"
II ought TO go to bed, and Pm going.
Put your arms around my neck and
7 solemnly swear you love me better than
auv one in the whole worId.'
''And so I do. except
Except Very well. Twas ever thus
{ battered side down again. But kiss me
and let me go. I'm willing to be second
to-Ons. Goodnight"
I ! looked in the glass when l regained
I my room to see If nv hair was white, and
/ oh. how l sympaihized with the early
I MARTYRS. | was a whole Fox's book full,
. myself VIII that girl, that dear, happy
. g0-lucky little Pigeon. ever realize what |
have suffered tonight
There is very little comfort in being a
martyr. Fate has fav ored me wonderful
/ ". l have vet to meet my old love and
/ Pigeons ne y one face 70 face. Some bus
mess matters called him away for
few DAYS, and since his return
II have, BY various hooks
and crooks. been able to keep out of his
way. Several times I have had narrow
1 escapes, and have been oblighed TO per-
form Incredible feats of agility in the way
Of hiding and disappearing, TO elute him;
Z and il is greatly 20 my satisfaction, if not
nv credit. that [ have been successful.
/ But the game IS up. Aunt Margaret gives
( a party for US Tonight We are going
away tomorrow, l 10 my dngy school,
room and Gingertown'S hateful gossip;
Bess 70 her beautiful home. Such IS life,
Heizho. Heigho, We must all have
cur uus and downs. Ny ups were de-